What are the basics of selling my artwork on Imagekind?

Join Imagekind to share and sell your artwork is as easy as counting to ten.

1. Click "Join for Free" to open a free Standard Member Account which includes three free galleries, You may upgrade your membership level anytime: http://www.imagekind.com/sell/art-photography.aspx

2. Click "My Account" to get started! This is your account admin where you will manage your Portfolio and profile.

3. Click on "my Portfolio" and first create a Gallery. Then upload your high resolution images by clicking in the Upload Images button. We accept JPG, TIFF, and PNG formats. Start uploading your Print Ready High Resolution images now!

4. Add title, description, and tags for each image.

5. You set your own commission! Basically you set a retail price using a percentage or flat dollar markup of our base prices. Here are the base prices For more information on commissions

6. In addition to your print commission, you can earn a commission on framing sold with any of your prints. Configure some suggested mat and frame combinations for the images in your gallery.

7. Our most successful members are those who actively market their imagekind Portfolio! Promote yourself with your unique Imagekind URL which directs people to your Imagekind Portfolio. You unique URL is http://yourscreenname.imagekind.com Add your own Bio in the Profile and add a link to promote your existing website, gallery, and/or business.

8. Friends, family, patrons, fans, designers, and shoppers print, custom frame and buy your art. The better your images look the more likely they are to be sold.

9. We produce the prints framed prints and canvases and ship on demand to your buyers around the world.

10. You get paid every month as long as you have accumulated at least $50 in earnings.

How much does using Imagekind cost me?

A free account is really free! You can always choose to upgrade to a Pro or Platinum account, but your first three galleries are free!
As long as you upload your print-ready images (JPG, TIFF and PNG formats) online, there will never be a charge associated with print-on-demand.

How do I earn money with Imagekind on prints and canvas prints?

You can markup your paper prints and canvas prints as you see fit. The markup amount is what you will earn on any artwork you sell and buyers will pay the additional base price, any framing, and shipping costs.
From the base price, you decide what markup will be applied to the artwork. The base price plus the markup will determine the retail price to the customer. You can choose to markup either using percentage terms or dollar terms. You may choose different markups for paper prints and canvases.

For example: If the Imagekind base price for an 8"x 10" print is $9.49 and your markup percentage is 50% ($4.74), the retail price to a buyer will be $14.23 ($9.49 base price + your $4.74 (50%) markup). You will earn $4.74 on each print sold.

If you wish to set your markup to 100% or higher of our base prices, you are quite welcome to do so. Imagekind does not put a limit on the artist's markup however there will be a 5% fee when the markup equals 100% or more of the base price (this applies to flat dollar markups as well as percentage markups).

For example: If the Imagekind base price for an 8"x 10" print is $9.49 and your markup percentage is 150% ($14.23), the retail price to a buyer will be $23.72 ($9.49 base price + your $14.23 (150%) markup). In this case, the fee will be applied to the markup over 100%: 14.23 - 9.49 = 4.74. 4.74 x 5% = 0.23. 14.23 - 0.23 = $14.00 You will earn $14.00 on each print sold with this markup.

How do I earn money on framed prints?

Your paper print markup will determine the commission on framed prints and in addition you will earn money on a percentage of the framing components.
Platinum members receive an additional 15% commission on any custom framing purchased with their print, Pro members receive an additional 10% commission, and free members receive a 5% commission. We want to encourage you to build attractive galleries and reward you for selling framed prints.

How do promotions affect my commission?

When a promotion is applied to a purchase, this is applied to both the Imagekind base price and the commission markup set by the artist. So if the promotion is 25% the customer will receive a 25% discount on the retail price; this means 25% off the base price and 25% off the markup to equal a total of a 25% discount.

How do I set my commission?

Sign in to the site and go to "My Account" Then click on the "My Galleries" or "My Portfolio." Under each gallery there is a "Edit Gallery" button, this path will allow you to set the price for all images currently in the gallery and all images that are uploaded later. Click "Edit Gallery" and on the left side, there is an "edit" button next to "Markup". Here you will be able to set a percentage markup or flat dollar markup on both paper prints and canvas prints separately, though you may choose the same markup if you wish.

You may also set a different markup for different images, however, if you forget to markup an image and a sale comes through, you may not receive a commission thus we strongly advise marking up galleries first. To set the markup for a specific image, go to the image in the gallery. On the image details page, where you can edit the title, description etc, on the left side click the "Edit" button next to "Markup"

If you add a new gallery please make sure you set a markup. Please be aware that if you do not markup a new gallery and a sale comes through, you may not receive a commission.

How do I check my Earnings?

If you have uploaded content to sell, you can track your earnings, balances, and payments in the Account tab in your admin. Sign in to your account and select the Account tab. Click on the link for "generate earnings report" and choose the date range.

I know I have sold an item. Why is it not showing up in my account?

Sold items will not appear in your account until the item has shipped from Imagekind. Generally, items are shipped 3-10 business days from the time they are ordered.

Canvas orders go through a few systems and sometimes there is a lag before they update to show in the artist's earnings report. Around the 15th of every month all orders are updated for to bring sales up to date. (This in no way delays commission payments).

There are other variables—for example, a payment issue or a customer holding the order—that could cause a delay with order processing. Also cancelled or returned orders will not show up in the commission report.
If you believe you have made a sale and it is not showing up in your earnings report after a couple of weeks, you may contact us at care@imagekind.com

How do I get paid?

If you create a gallery and charge a markup for your images, you must provide Imagekind accurate payment and taxpayer information (only if you are located in the United States). Go to the Account Tab in your Member Admin area to enter your information. All personal information will be kept private and secure. Please see our Privacy Policy

Imagekind pays Content Owners periodically based on sales volume.The payment threshold is $50.00 in earnings. Once you've reached or exceed $50 in earnings you will be sent a payment. Payments are made approximately 45 days from the end of a calendar month in which the sale that exceeded the $50 threshold took place. This time frame allows for Imagekind's 30 day return policy, production time, shipping, and payment processing.

For example, if your gallery generates $25.00 in its first month of business, the commission will remain in your account and continue to accrue. If your gallery earns $30 by the end of the second month (passing the $50.00 threshold) Imagekind will send the payment for the $55.00 accumulated over the previous two months of operation.

If you gallery generates more than $50.00 profit in a month, Imagekind will issue a payment for total earnings accumulated from that month (45 days from the end of the purchasing month).

For example, if your gallery generates $20.00 profit in December and in January multiple sales accrue $100. The commission payment will be issued in mid-March and will include the $20 from December and the $100 from the January sales.

For early payouts there is a $5 fee. We may, in our discretion, send you a payment before your accrued compensation reaches or exceeds the payment threshold. See our Terms of Use for payment details and terms.

Why do I have to wait so long to be paid?

This period allows us to resolve customer service issues and returns, and to insure your customers (and ours) are delighted with their purchases. It takes us some time to process our orders and our customer service policy allows buyers to return items within 30 days if they are not satisfied.

Can I receive my earnings by check? By PayPal?

How Do Your Sizes Work?

How it works is that we have what are called "bucket" sizes whereby we match one side of your digital image with the print size, and let the other side factor itself out based on the aspect ratio. All of this is done by the pixel dimensions available.

So basically, just upload your work in the highest resolution possible and we will figure out all the available sizes based off the pixel dimension.

Can I sell original art on Imagekind?

Imagekind is about promoting you as an artist through community membership and building or expanding your print sales business, based on your original artworks. You can link to your personal website, your rep's website, your gallery's website; you can post your email, post show links and when you write your image descriptions you can let shoppers know that your originals are still available. When it comes time to sell your originals we steer clear. It's up to the buyer and you or your rep to close the deal. For now we are happy to just keep selling and framing prints on your behalf.

Can I sell limited editions on Imagekind?

Our system is set up to provide open ended editions - as long as the image is on our site, we'll print it on demand. You are welcome to keep track of how many times your print sells and remove the image from your gallery in order to keep anyone else from ordering one once you reach your determined limit.

How do I set my default frame?

Sign in and go to your admin, go the gallery where the image is, then click on that image. Click on the link that states "set my default frame" which is right under the image. Once you choose the size, paper, mat, frame, and glazing don't forget to hit save. Remember, you can earn a 5% framing commission with a free membership, 10% with a pro membership, and 15% with a platinum membership when someone buys your art framed, so it's in your best interest to make it look great!

What are best practices for adding subjects, genres, mediums, and tags to my images and/or galleries?

This information is how your search engines (both our internal search engine and outside search) find your work! It is vitally important the all the information is entered for each image, and JUST AS IMPORTANT, that the information is an accurate representation of the content.

When deciding what information to include for an image, It's important to think about this from the shopper's perspective. Does the information you are providing most accurately reflect your imagery. Will your image appear in or out of place, with the imagery other artists are providing under this category?

Subject:
Determine what the primary subject and/or theme is for each images, and focus on those main aspects. If a horse is depicted with a sunflower in it's mane, then "floral", "botanical", and "still life" would not be appropriate subjects.

Tags:
You have a bit more leeway with tags than subjects. You can include more terms so customers can better find the kind of imagery they are searching for. For instance "field" and "horse" would be appropriate for a customer looking for an image for horses in a field and would provide a stellar shopping experience. However, if the image is a photograph, and the tag entered is "watercolor," "pastels," or "oil painting," these would also not be appropriate tags.

Medium:
Please look through all of the mediums and sub-mediums before making a choice. for instance, "Digital" Medium refers to digitally made art, art made on a computer. "Digital photography" is under Medium, "Photography" and Sub-Medium, "Digital"

Genre:
Please refer to this list https://www.imagekind.com/faq.aspx?CID=8#FAQ_168 for accurate descriptions. While all art, on some level, may be "decorative," it is again, important to consider when the customer selects, "Decorative" does your image *best* fit into this genre? Would the customer expect to see this type of image, in this categorization?

Descriptions:
It's important to describe the artwork itself for customer who are looking for more information about the subject, technique, or other relevant information. Information entered that does not pertain to the image, would not be considered relevant. Gallery Description and Profile information can be used to expound on the artist statement, theory, or other information related to the larger body of work the artist is presenting.

It's also important to note that more tags and subjects, are not necessarily better or more helpful. To reiterate, once again, think about what terms the customer would be using to search or browse to find an image similar to yours.

Please note: If we find that inaccurate or inappropriate terms are being used, we may, at our discretion, take action to remove the irrelevant information from images, or remove the image itself.

How do I add descriptions, tags, and taxonomy to my images?

Log in to your Imagekind account. Choose the gallery that the image is in, and then choose the image that you would like to add information to. There are several different sections for you to fill out about your images. It is important to fill this entire portion out for each image as fully as you can! This information is how your search engines (both our internal search engine and outside search) find you.

Editorial/Documentary Usually used to describe candid, investigative photojournalism.

Erotic Tasteful images of nudes in any medium.

Fashion Relating to clothing, accessories, and models.

Fine Art Artwork that exists purely for aesthetics rather than function.

Folk Art Images or objects which reflect the traditional culture of a particular region or place, and is generally made by self-trained artists.

Generative Art Art that has been generated by algorithms, generally through computer software (i.e. Fractals)

Global Images that convey a particular culture of place or traditional modes of expression. Generally this term is applied to art which reflects non-European modes of expression.

Graphic Design A broad term referring to the art of visual communication, generally in a commercial sense, where presentation is most important. Clean, bright images, perhaps with typographical elements.

Historical An image depicting or relating to a real person or event from the past.

Humor Artwork with humorous elements and intention.

Landscape Images of landscapes, real or imaginary.

Macro Images that are incredibly close up. Generally refers to photographs.

Pop Art Art that utilizes popular imagery and commodities as resources and inspiration.

Portraits Images that focus on the personality and representation of a person or animal.

Realism Artwork that focuses on depicting subjects and objects accurately, as they appear in reality.

SurrealismA cultural and artistic movement based on surprise, unexpected composition, and irrational thought.

How are you marketing Imagekind and helping artists sell their works?

We are marketing our site through many ways from traditional banner/ad purchases, to Google ad buys, to affiliate marketing programs, to good old emailing artists and shoppers one at a time.

We are also have many tools (and are building more) for artists to promote to their fans and patrons, like "buy this" buttons and the ability to add HTML links in your profile to any other place on the web where you promote your art.

What do I need to be aware of if I also sell my images to a stock agency?

Your agreement with Imagekind is non-exclusive, and from a business standpoint we simply function as a forum, gallery hosting, and print service site for you, the artist. If you own the print reproduction rights to the image, we'll print your works and sell them on your behalf to any shopper who visits our site.

We are not brokering the digital reproduction rights to anyone, nor does the public ever have access to your high-res files. Uploaded files are immediately converted into web previews. The original, print-ready files are kept offline and only used to print-on-demand for your customers' print purchases.

How do I easily buy my own image without paying the markup?

In your member admin area you can easily purchase your own image without having to remove the mark-up that you apply for regular shoppers. This makes it easy to buy prints of your own images for personal use without having to always change your settings. As long as you are signed into your account, you will be able to buy your work at the base price. Your mark up settings will not be applied in the shopping cart.

What does "Shared for display only (not for sale)" mean?

The "Image not for sale" or "for display only" option is for artwork that you'd like to showcase only and not sell. Some possible reasons for choosing this option could be for commissioned pieces, or to show some pieces that are still in progress that you are working on.

There are two ways that an image is marked as "for display only." One is when you first upload your image from your admin, there is a checkbox that says "Share for Display Only (Not for Sale)." If you check this box before uploading, your image will be marked as not for sale. If you'd like to make an image not for sale after you've uploaded it, you can do so on your image details page in your Imagekind admin.

The other way an image is marked as "not for sale" is when you upload an image that is less than 800x800 pixels. When you upload an image smaller than our allowable print size, the image will automatically set the image as not for sale, as the pixel quality is not high enough to allow us to sell and print. There will be a warning message after you upload your image if it is too small and is marked as "not for sale."

800x800 pixels is the minimum file size to reproduce a print in the smallest size. For optimal print resolution we recommend capturing the image at a high resolution for a larger file size.

I haven't had any/many sales? What should I do?

Artists who sell their work on a regular basis proactively market their portfolios outside of Imagekind.com. While there are countless ways one can promote their work, many artists find that using social media such as, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr, Google+ etc. These are free services that provide the opportunity to reach virtually millions of people all over the world. Look for Imagekind on these social media sites:

However, there is no "one size fits all" answer and every artist has to determine the best methods for marketing their work to reach their respective audiences. Some other ideas include, but are not limited to, a personal blog or website, art shows, business cards, email newsletters to fans/followers, partner with a brick and mortar frame shop or other retail space, local galleries, First Thursdays/Fridays etc, studio tours, the list is endless.